L.I.R.R. Strike Ends After Tens of Thousands Endure Painful Commutes

Event overview

Long Island Rail Road strike is over, New York Gov. Hochul says

Updated yesterday
ABC News
New York Post
CNN
The New York Times
Associated Press
7 articles5 sources
Multiple perspectives

The LIRR strike ended with Gov. Hochul saying a deal was reached and service will resume in phases, with no fare or tax increases. Reports from The Associated Press, CNN, and ABC News state the agreement delivers raises for workers while protecting riders and taxpayers, and notes phased resumption starting at noon. The New York Times highlights that commuters endured detours during the strike and that talks led to a deal late Monday; the New York Post emphasizes concessions on pay and contract terms. Where disagreement exists, AP quotes Hochul on no fare hikes; NYT notes the strike disruption; others echo the wage gains and phased restoration.

What this means

Concrete downstream impact: service resumes in phases starting at noon, with workers returning to work and no fare hikes or tax increases reported by multiple outlets (AP, CNN, ABC, NYT).

Original reporting (7)
Long Island Rail Road strike is over, New York Gov. Hochul says
ABC News
ABC News
Leaning left
5/19/2026

Long Island Rail Road strike is over, New York Gov. Hochul says

Limited service will resume at noon on Tuesday, Hochul said. The Long Island Rail Road strike has ended, according to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. "Tonight, the MTA reached a fair deal with the five LIRR unions that delivers raises for workers while protecting riders and taxpayers. I’m pleased to announce that phased.

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) waiting area is closed inside Penn Station during the third day of a strike by the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), the nation’s largest commuter rail system, in New York City, U.S., May 18, 2026. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY, Image 2 shows Striking LIRR workers picket outside Jamaica Station in Queens on Monday, May 18, 2026, as the LIRR engineers’ strike continues into its third day. Jamaica Station serves as a major LIRR hub connecting passengers to the E, J and Z subway lines. The strike has created a transportation nightmare across Long Island, leaving hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded after more than 3,500 engineers, signalmen and trainmen from five unions walked off the job following collapsed wage talks with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said the unions rejected the agency’s final offer, which he said “literally gave them everything they wanted in terms of pay.” (Photo by Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Post.)
New York Post
New York Post
Leaning right
5/19/2026

LIRR strike over after MTA, unions reach deal

See more of our coverage in your search results. The MTA and unions representing LIRR workers reached a deal to end the three-day railroad strike , officials announced on Monday. “Tonight, the @MTA reached a fair deal with the five LIRR unions that delivers raises for workers while protecting riders and taxpayers,”.

Deal reached to end strike at largest US commuter railroad | CNN Business
CNN
CNN
Strongly left
5/19/2026

Deal reached to end strike at largest US commuter railroad

A three-day strike on the nation’s largest commuter rail system ended after marathon negotiations concluded Monday with the unions and Long Island Rail Road reaching a tentative deal. The deal was announced by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in a post on X , who described it as delivering raises for workers while.

L.I.R.R. Strike Ends After Tens of Thousands Endure Painful Commutes
The New York Times
The New York Times
Leaning left
5/19/2026

L.I.R.R. Strike Ends After Tens of Thousands Endure Painful Commutes

Commuters took lengthy detours on the third day of a strike by Long Island Rail Road workers, who had gone without raises for years. Workers and transit officials reached a deal late Monday.

Deal reached to end strike at largest US commuter railroad | CNN Business
CNN
CNN
Strongly left
5/19/2026

Deal reached to end strike at largest US commuter railroad | CNN Business

A three-day strike on the nation’s largest commuter rail system ended after marathon negotiations concluded Monday with the unions and Long Island Rail Road reaching a tentative deal. The deal was announced by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in a post on X , who described it as delivering raises for workers while.

Tracks are empty at Mineola train station as Long Island Rail Road workers enter the third day of their strike, Monday, May 18, 2026, in Mineola, N.Y. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Associated Press5/19/2026

Negotiators reach a deal to end strike on North America’s busiest commuter rail system

NEW YORK (AP) — Negotiators on Monday reached a deal to end the strike that stalled service on the Long Island Rail Road, the busiest commuter rail system in North America. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the deal won’t increase fares or taxes and will give employees fair wages. She said she’s not at liberty to.

Striking workers
New York Post
New York Post
Leaning right
5/19/2026

Hochul, MTA largely cave to striking LIRR union workers – but insist taxpayers won’t be financially crushed

See more of our coverage in your search results. Gov. Kathy Hochul and the MTA largely caved to striking Long Island Rail Road union workers — granting them a 4.5% pay hike — even while insisting the new deal won’t financially crush riders or taxpayers. The increase was only slightly less than the 5% salary jump that.